In Mark, Chapter 15, Verse 1, a group known as the Chief Priests were mentioned. I would like to know, what group of people made up the group known as the Chief Priests? Who were they . where did they come from, how did they wield so much power as to sway Pilate?
I just finished reading about the chief priesthood concerning your questions on the Got Questions site. I recommend going to that site to find answers to your questions. I googled Chief priesthood in Judaism and clicked on the site for Got Questions.
Gigi I was just trying to see if there was a similarity with the Chief Priests and our members of congress. It sounds very similar to what is going on today. Thank you.
Our members of congress are elected into office and do not play any priestly role in our society. The chief priests were appointed within the Sanhedrin (which is not Mosaic in origin-rather came about from the babylonian exile which also brought about the synagogues and rabbinic order). These chief priests were of the particular lineage of Levi through Aaron, who, only, could be priests from the tribe of Levi. The priests served in when they came of age in some capacity with the temple worship and ceremonies. The High priests or Chief priests were priests who were elevated to a position of authority and rank above the other priests. So, in these respects the chief priests were not like our members of Congress.
But, it is believed that there was much corruption among the Chief priests of Jesus' day. They also held political power (in a religious sense) in some way. So in this respect, they are similar to our members of Congress.
Another priesthood established after 400+ yrs of captivity of Israel in Egypt. Established in Exodus 28:1, described & defined & detailed in; Exodus 28, Ex. 29, Ex. 30, Ex. 31, Ex. 35, Ex. 38, Ex. 39, Ex. 40, Leviticus 1, note the Name, Aaron being in the Levi lineage= Exodus 2:1, Numbers 26:59, if you want to study the laws of the Priesthood all the chapters of Leviticus, I recommend.
Numbers 3:1-45, clarified who was allowed to be in the Priesthood. Note: Numbers 3:32, Numbers 4, breaks down duties of each family, within that tribe, separated by GOD specifically, Numbers 3:12-13, Numbers 3:41, Deuteronomy also describe the duties. This continued through the book of Joshua. King David & king Solomon, re-established the Levitical Priests; 1Chronicles 6:10, then again at the return of the Babylonian captivity re-established by Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, & all Israel that returned.
Therefore by these recorded accounts it appears the priesthood that existed during the moment your referring to in Mark 15, were traditional heirs of the priesthood as established, in Exodus. Respected & upheld by Jesus himself= Matthew 8:4, Mark 1:44, Luke 5:14,
Please read Isaiah 53, Zechariah 13:6, John 18:35,
Interestingly in: Luke 1:5, Luke 2, Hebrews 5, Hebrews 6, Jesus Our High Priest.
They swayed Pilate, Matthew 27:24, Mark 15:15, Luke 23:4-23, John 19:8-15, yet GOD ordained it & Christ allowed it, John 10:17,
I find it useful to read & study many Books of the Bible to answer my questions within one part of another Book.
Hopefully these are helpful & fully answer your questions
The Jewish leadership has been trying to destroy Jesus since early in His ministry ( Mark 3:22-30). At least twice, they have been prepared to stone Him ( John 8:59; 10:31). They don't want to execute Jesus during the Passover and week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread ( Mark 14:1-2); Jesus has too many supporters who may cause a riot ( Mark 11:1-10; 14:1-2). But since they have Him, it is much better if He is executed quickly.
The Sanhedrin has a lot working against them. If they imprison Jesus, His followers could rile up the travelers from Galilee, Judea, and the surrounding area who at least think He is a prophet, if not the Messiah. Because of Jesus' popularity, the number of Galileans in Jerusalem, and the fact that the Jewish council cannot execute someone, they need the Romans to kill Jesus. Were Jesus less-renowned and less-connected to conflict with religious leaders, they likely would have been content to let a mob break Roman law by stoning ( Acts 7:54-60). Roman officials hold their trials in the early morning; if the Sanhedrin waits until later in the day, Pilate will not be available. At evening the Sabbath begins, so they need to move fast.
This verse does not describe a second trial before the Sanhedrin. The trial in Mark 14:53-65 happens concurrently with Peter's denials in Mark 14:66-72. "Held a consultation" means the evidence-gathering is over and the council members are making their final decision. They have already convicted Jesus of blasphemy according to the Mosaic law ( Mark 14:63-65). Likely this discussion is to decide on what capital offence against Roman law they will present before Pilate.
John, adds more detail ( John 18:28-32). When the members of the Sanhedrin take Jesus to Pilate's house, they do not enter. As residents of Jerusalem, they eat the Passover that afternoon, and will become unclean if they enter the home of a Gentile. After Pilate interviews and flogs Jesus, the Sanhedrin makes their case again.
Thank you.
I just finished reading about the chief priesthood concerning your questions on the Got Questions site. I recommend going to that site to find answers to your questions. I googled Chief priesthood in Judaism and clicked on the site for Got Questions.
Les
Our members of congress are elected into office and do not play any priestly role in our society. The chief priests were appointed within the Sanhedrin (which is not Mosaic in origin-rather came about from the babylonian exile which also brought about the synagogues and rabbinic order). These chief priests were of the particular lineage of Levi through Aaron, who, only, could be priests from the tribe of Levi. The priests served in when they came of age in some capacity with the temple worship and ceremonies. The High priests or Chief priests were priests who were elevated to a position of authority and rank above the other priests. So, in these respects the chief priests were not like our members of Congress.
But, it is believed that there was much corruption among the Chief priests of Jesus' day. They also held political power (in a religious sense) in some way. So in this respect, they are similar to our members of Congress.
Another priesthood established after 400+ yrs of captivity of Israel in Egypt. Established in Exodus 28:1, described & defined & detailed in; Exodus 28, Ex. 29, Ex. 30, Ex. 31, Ex. 35, Ex. 38, Ex. 39, Ex. 40, Leviticus 1, note the Name, Aaron being in the Levi lineage= Exodus 2:1, Numbers 26:59, if you want to study the laws of the Priesthood all the chapters of Leviticus, I recommend.
Numbers 3:1-45, clarified who was allowed to be in the Priesthood. Note: Numbers 3:32, Numbers 4, breaks down duties of each family, within that tribe, separated by GOD specifically, Numbers 3:12-13, Numbers 3:41, Deuteronomy also describe the duties. This continued through the book of Joshua. King David & king Solomon, re-established the Levitical Priests; 1Chronicles 6:10, then again at the return of the Babylonian captivity re-established by Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, & all Israel that returned.
Therefore by these recorded accounts it appears the priesthood that existed during the moment your referring to in Mark 15, were traditional heirs of the priesthood as established, in Exodus. Respected & upheld by Jesus himself= Matthew 8:4, Mark 1:44, Luke 5:14,
Please read Isaiah 53, Zechariah 13:6, John 18:35,
Interestingly in: Luke 1:5, Luke 2, Hebrews 5, Hebrews 6, Jesus Our High Priest.
They swayed Pilate, Matthew 27:24, Mark 15:15, Luke 23:4-23, John 19:8-15, yet GOD ordained it & Christ allowed it, John 10:17,
I find it useful to read & study many Books of the Bible to answer my questions within one part of another Book.
Hopefully these are helpful & fully answer your questions
The Sanhedrin has a lot working against them. If they imprison Jesus, His followers could rile up the travelers from Galilee, Judea, and the surrounding area who at least think He is a prophet, if not the Messiah. Because of Jesus' popularity, the number of Galileans in Jerusalem, and the fact that the Jewish council cannot execute someone, they need the Romans to kill Jesus. Were Jesus less-renowned and less-connected to conflict with religious leaders, they likely would have been content to let a mob break Roman law by stoning ( Acts 7:54-60). Roman officials hold their trials in the early morning; if the Sanhedrin waits until later in the day, Pilate will not be available. At evening the Sabbath begins, so they need to move fast.
This verse does not describe a second trial before the Sanhedrin. The trial in Mark 14:53-65 happens concurrently with Peter's denials in Mark 14:66-72. "Held a consultation" means the evidence-gathering is over and the council members are making their final decision. They have already convicted Jesus of blasphemy according to the Mosaic law ( Mark 14:63-65). Likely this discussion is to decide on what capital offence against Roman law they will present before Pilate.
John, adds more detail ( John 18:28-32). When the members of the Sanhedrin take Jesus to Pilate's house, they do not enter. As residents of Jerusalem, they eat the Passover that afternoon, and will become unclean if they enter the home of a Gentile. After Pilate interviews and flogs Jesus, the Sanhedrin makes their case again.
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